Far to the east, near Lether Town, the cart rattled down the road. Inside, the beautiful Princess Krill watched the world go by. On the roof, Tora sat silently, cutting through the soft wind.
Everything was peaceful. Until the noise started.
Rustle. Snap.
Krill opened the window. A flock of birds exploded out of the forest, chirping in panic.
"Tora, what is it?" she asked.
Tora didn't answer. He was staring at the tree line, his body tense.
"Tora? What is going on?"
"Stop the cart!" Tora shouted to the driver. He jumped off the roof, landing in a crouch. "Princess, do not come out!"
Krill trembled. Tora was fully alert. Something was coming.
BOOM.
A man was thrown out of the forest like a ragdoll. He smashed through a massive tree, snapping the trunk in half before crashing onto the road.
Krill and Tora froze in shock. A moment later, a giant bear burst from the trees, screaming in rage. Foam dripped from its mouth. It was furious.
"Tora! Help him!" Krill cried out.
But before Tora could move, the man on the ground vanished.
Whoosh.
He reappeared in the air, driving a heavy kick into the bear's head. The giant beast didn't even flinch. It roared and raised a paw to crush him.
Tora drew his sword. "I've got you!"
He used his super speed, lunging to slash the bear. But suddenly—CLANG!
Tora stopped in mid-air. The mysterious man had blocked Tora's sword with one hand... and caught the bear's massive punch with the other.
"Don't interfere," the man grunted.
Before Tora could speak, the man grabbed him by the collar. Zap. They teleported instantly back to the cart.
Tora stumbled, his mind racing. Who is this guy?
The man didn't wait. He warped back to the bear, appearing instantly on its shoulders. With a single fluid motion, he swung his blade. The bear's head fell to the ground.
The man grabbed the head and vanished into thin air. Gone.
Silence fell over the road.
"I... I thought iron swords couldn't cut Giant Bears," Krill whispered, her face pale. "I guess I was wrong."
"You aren't wrong, Princess," Tora said, his voice low and serious. "You can't cut a Giant Bear with an ordinary sword."
"Then how did he do it?"
Tora stared at the empty spot where the man had been.
"He is not an ordinary man."
[END OF CHAPTER 1]
Next Time:
The peace of the forest is left behind as Krill enters the noisy, bustling streets of Lether Town! But they aren't the only ones watching the market. A cold wind begins to blow... and Tora faces an enemy he cannot outrun.
Next Chapter: Shadows in Lether Town